When I arrived at Amelia’s Espresso & Panini in Santa Monica at 9:15 a.m., Michael Keaton was already there, engrossed in his New York Times and nearly finished with his first latte. The café, despite its quaint name, had a cozy, mom-and-pop feel. After getting my cappuccino, the friendly owner joked about charging me double for sitting with Keaton.
I was a bit nervous about this interview. Keaton is known for being private and rarely does sit-downs. He preferred meeting for coffee rather than a meal, which I thought would make for a shorter interview. I was wrong.
As I fiddled with my iPhone recording app, Keaton commented on technology, admitting he uses it but prefers to observe from a distance. I expressed my surprise that he agreed to the interview, given his usual reluctance. Keaton laughed, explaining that while he admires modern media, he values his privacy and normalcy.
Keaton shared that he was preparing for a movie with Larry David, reminiscing about their early days in stand-up comedy. He mentioned how David remembered the exact month they met outside Catch a Rising Star. Keaton was then commuting between Pittsburgh and New York, trying to break into acting and improv.
We discussed the appeal of college Q&As, which Keaton finds invigorating due to the active and curious minds of students. He contrasted this with the more jaded perspectives of older audiences.
When asked about his upcoming project with Larry David, Keaton described it as an improvised movie, similar to “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” He admitted he had no idea what they would do yet but was excited about the spontaneity.
I mentioned watching some of Keaton’s old stand-up routines online. He hadn’t seen them but was pleased to hear they held up well. We laughed about a bit where he read a Bazooka Joe comic, turning it into a deep metaphysical discussion.
Keaton’s brief stint on Twitter came up. He had a substantial following but left after making an Anthony Weiner joke. He acknowledged the platform’s ingenuity and humorously recalled a tweet about Jimmer Fredette looking like a Nissan dealership owner.
Our conversation shifted to politics, with Keaton expressing his frustration over the media’s treatment of Donald Trump. He was particularly irked by the lack of transparency regarding Trump’s “people.”
Keaton’s son, Sean, is also politically aware, getting his news from NPR and shows like Jon Stewart’s. Keaton initially urged Sean to diversify his news sources but later appreciated the value of Stewart and Colbert’s commentary.
We touched on religion, with Keaton describing himself as more of a meditator than a practitioner. He shared his experiences working on a Navajo reservation and how it influenced his spiritual practices.
In preparing for the interview, I revisited some of Keaton’s movies. “Night Shift” stood out, a film that still holds up and features one of Keaton’s classic characters, Bill Blazejowski. Keaton fondly remembered the film and its impact on his career.
Keaton recounted how he had to change his name from Michael Douglas due to the actor and talk show host with the same name. He chose “Keaton” randomly, despite rumors it was inspired by Diane Keaton.
We discussed his early career, including working on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Keaton shared amusing anecdotes about the crew and Fred Rogers’ genuine, humorous nature.
I asked about roles Keaton reportedly turned down, like Jack Sparrow in “Pirates of the Caribbean” and parts in “Ghostbusters” and “Splash.” Keaton clarified some were false, but he did turn down “Splash” to avoid typecasting after “Night Shift.”
Keaton confirmed he was initially offered the role of Jack Shephard in “Lost,” but declined due to the commitment required for a TV series. He admired J.J. Abrams’ original idea to kill off the lead character early on.
We also discussed his role in “Jackie Brown,” which he initially turned down multiple times. Keaton explained that he often declines roles if he doesn’t feel he can do them justice. However, he eventually agreed to meet Quentin Tarantino and was convinced to take the part.
Keaton’s career is marked by his selective approach to roles, valuing quality and fit over quantity. His thoughtful choices have led to a diverse and respected body of work, from iconic characters like Batman and Beetlejuice to his more recent acclaimed performances.
Source: Various Interviews and Articles
